Union Minister Giriraj Singh highlighted the significant role of women and rural households in India’s pursuit of a USD 5-trillion economy. He emphasized the transformative potential of women who are members of self-help groups, stating that they will play a crucial role in shaping the country’s future. By recognizing the contributions and empowering women in rural areas, the minister underscored their ability to drive economic growth and contribute to the overall development of the nation.
During an event, the Minister of Rural Development highlighted the positive impact of self-help groups on women’s economic well-being. He stated that women members of self-help groups have experienced a 19 percent increase in their income and a 28 percent rise in savings. This demonstrates the significant contribution and empowerment of women through these groups. The minister also emphasized the government’s commitment to further expanding the reach of self-help groups, aiming to include 10 crore (100 million) women in such groups by 2024. This ambitious goal demonstrates the government’s dedication to promoting women’s economic empowerment and fostering inclusive development in the country. At present more than nine crore women are linked with these groups. “Women members of Self Help Groups will change India in the days to come,” he said. The Rural Development Ministry recently launched a campaign to mobilise one crore women from eligible rural households to join Self-Help Groups promoted by the ministry’s Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
The ongoing drive, scheduled to run until 30 June, aims to include all vulnerable and marginalized rural households in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to ensure their access to the benefits offered by the programme. The campaign focuses on raising awareness among disadvantaged rural communities about the advantages provided by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) programme. The primary objective is to mobilize and engage these communities, ensuring they are informed about the opportunities and support available through SHGs. By extending the reach of SHGs and promoting awareness, the campaign aims to empower and uplift rural households, enabling them to improve their livelihoods and overall well-being.
